A Biblical Perspective on Various Topics

A Family Vision

Can one get a glimpse of the future? Are visions of things unseen possible? Is it God or is it all just in our head? I believe God loves us and has great plans. Sometimes we’re given a preview. ♦

The recurring vision makes a lot of sense to me now. It didn’t make much sense to me when I first saw it. It wasn’t anything weirdly supernatural or even in a dream. But it was nonetheless recurring and visually clear in my mind. It was real enough to have me take notice.

I told no one for decades.

Why not? Not sure, other than the fact that I was only vaguely paying attention to these matters at the time. Perhaps it seemed inevitable to me then, although today I realize how it is unique and special.

What was the vision?

It was a picture in my mind’s eye that somewhat resembles the recent family photograph shown above. The variation is that in that recurring vision long ago I am an even older man sitting in the center. In my vision I am surrounded by even more members of my family.

10th Grandchild
In the photo above taken last summer, each of our two sons and daughter are with their spouses and 3 children. Our 9th grandchild (sitting on my wife’s lap) had just been born. Last week, our oldest son and wife just had their 4th daughter, our 10th grandchild.

At this point, we’re not sure of any immediate plans for more grandkids. Only God knows. Nevertheless, our children’s children are being “raised in the ways of the Lord” and will no doubt marry and have children of their own over time. One can now realistically imagine what the family Christmas card photo will look like in 25 years.

My faith leads me to strongly believe that I’ll be in a few more family pictures over the coming years.

So What Does This Mean?
Was my vision prophetic? Can one really get a glimpse of the future? Are visions of things unseen even possible? Was it all just in my head, perhaps wishful thinking?

I know it was real. I do believe it was a God-thing.

I believe God can do anything, even flash thoughts and visions across our mind’s eye. God loves us and has been casting visions and dreams and moving and shaking throughout human history. He has plans and wants to become alive in and through each one of us. He seeks us out. He pushes and prods.

For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. (2 Chronicles 16:9)

He works us even when we’re halfway paying attention. In hindsight, I now see that I was only halfway into full faith Christian commitment throughout my 20’s, 30’s and 40’s. Maybe two-thirds committed. Maybe 80% (see past BiblicalViewpoint: Living at 80%.) I certainly wasn’t at 100%.

Yet God still loved me and pursued me. I believe He gave me a preview of what could be.

“When There is No Vision, the People Perish”
This brief verse in Proverbs 29:18 is also translated “When there is no prophetic vision, the people cast off restraint” or “the people go wild” in a more modern translation. That is, once we lose sight of God we begin to be reckless, we cast off guardrails. We may even stop praying or act solely on our own initiative. Once on this path, we’re on our own. We’ve lost our way. Even Spirit-led thoughts and dreams can be drowned out by distractions and cares of the world.

But God keeps pressing. It’s like He doesn’t give up on us. He draws us near. All we have to do is respond in obedience. Even delayed response and obedience is acceptable to the God who loves us and sent his Son to die for us.

My Vision Cast
And so I do believe I got a preview, a glimpse of what could be. I first shared my vision publicly in my mid-50’s when the marriages and grandchildren started happening. That picture – the vision – started developing into a tangible reality. I refocused my prayers, my commitment, and devotion to live a reborn life consistent with that vision of a Godly patriarch, father, husband, grandparent, mentor, wise counsel, spiritual family head.

And today, it is neither worldly standing or status that drives me, but rather that vision which moves and directs me in all things to fulfill the dream vision God has laid before me. It’s a vision I will share, even unto many generations.

Have you been given a Godly vision?
_________________________“And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.” – Joel 2:28